You won’t believe what happened!

By Allison Watkins, Director of Children's Ministry

One Sunday morning shortly after Easter I had the privilege of teaching the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade Sunday School class. The lesson for this particular day was from John 21:15. The disciples have finished their breakfast on the beach and Peter and Jesus are having a conversation. Jesus has asked Peter three times if he loves him. 

Soon the lesson was suspended when questions were popping up. Without any planning the children were asking and answering their own questions – they were teaching each other! They remembered another Bible lesson when Jesus told Peter he would deny him three times before he died. Another child pointed out the coincidence of the number three. Three times Peter denied Jesus; after three days Jesus rose from the dead; three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved him; the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then one boy asked, “How do we know that this really happened?”  I asked him if he ever came home from school with an exciting story and said, “You won’t believe what happened today!” I explained that in the time that Jesus lived such amazing things happened that the disciples wanted to share the news with everyone. The people who met and knew Jesus wanted to share what had happened when they witnessed Jesus.

When we returned back to the lesson we learned that Jesus is asking Peter to tend to his sheep, feed his sheep and follow him. The young boy needed more clarification and then asked, “So, that’s what we’re supposed to do?  Feed his sheep and follow him and spread the word?”

I have shared this story several times since I witnessed these smart, beautiful children learning and living the way Jesus taught us and asked us to live. They were kind and loving and respectful to each other. I was filled with joy and couldn’t wait to tell everybody “You won’t believe what happened today!”

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. — John 13:34 ESV

Interested in helping with Trinity's Children's Ministry? Come to the Children's Sunday School Training/Information Meeting on Sunday, August 27, 9 a.m., in the Red Room (Level 2 Children's Area). You'll learn more about the ways you can help by volunteering or donating supplies:

• Sunday School Teachers and Assistants
• Check-in Desk
• Worship Bags
• Classroom Supplies
• Special Events
• Nursery Help
• Donations of Goods

Contact Allison Watkins, Director of Children's Ministry, for more information: awatkins@trinityumc.org or 303-839-1493 x22.

A Quiet Disciple: Cynthia Mousel

By Caroline Lee, Chancel Choir President

Each year, the Chancel Choir gives the Quiet Disciple award to a member of our choir community who exemplifies joy in giving, service without expectation and the bond of community. In past years, we have given this award to Jim Feickert, Jim Utzinger, Susan Turman, Diane Theobald and Dennis Semin. 

This year's Quiet Disciple was given to Cynthia Mousel at the Chancel Choir's end-of-season banquet on June 14. Each summer, when our regular season is done and we hang up our robes for a summer hiatus, Cynthia makes it her sacred mission to take home every single robe (all 100+ of them) and lovingly wash them. She does this without seeking recognition or notice, but simply as a way to service the Chancel Choir. And that’s just one example of the ways that she has served the choir over the years. We are proud to honor Cynthia with the Quiet Disciple Award for the 2016-17 choir season!